This document discusses Phase2's approach to accessibility, which focuses on shared experiences, usability, and going beyond basic compliance. It aims to make both backend and frontend experiences accessible. It emphasizes planning for accessibility from the start, implementing best practices, and thorough quality assurance testing using tools and manual methods to evaluate Section 508 compliance and WCAG guidelines. Accessibility is viewed as benefiting all users, not just those with disabilities, by improving usability.

1. Adding Guerrilla Accessibility Testing
to Your Development Process

2. PHASE2’S ACCESSIBILITY APPROACH
OUR PHILOSOPHY & GOALS

3. PHASE2 ACCESSIBILITY APPROACH
Our Philosophy
• Shared Experiences
• Focus on Usability
• Beyond Box-Checking

4. PHASE2 ACCESSIBILITY APPROACH
Goal: Build software for clients that achieves two objectives:
1. Backend: Enable content creators, editors, and staff who use assistive
technology to create and manage content on the platform.
2. Frontend: Instill confidence that configuration of new website pages, elements,
and content will be Section 508 Compliant and carry WCAG 2.0 Best Practices.

5. PHASE2 ACCESSIBILITY APPROACH
Thought leadership
• In-house accessibility expert
• Implementing best practices
Internal Investment on Products
• OpenPublic built with accessibility at the core

6. WHY ACCESSIBILITY?

7. WHAT “ACCESSIBILITY” REALLY MEANS
Section 508 may be a set of rules. But to effectively
implement best practices, it’s helpful to understand how to
achieve true accessibility.
Rather than thinking about accessibility on the extreme ends
of the spectrum, think about serving people “in the middle.”

8. PEOPLE “IN THE MIDDLE”
At one point in their lives, the “average” American may need
access when they least expect it. Some don’t even consider
themselves “disabled.” For example:
• a 20-something war vet returning from Afghanistan with mild hearing loss
• a 35 year-old who sprained her wrists after falling off her bike
• a 40-year old who is recovering from a temporary brain injury
• Someone who is shocked as they escaped the path of a tornado through their town
and needs to access FEMA.gov.

9. ACCESSIBILITY KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Blindness / Low Vision Cognition / Intellectual Disabilities
• Skip Navigation Links available; • Provide both images and text;
• <alt> text available and effective; • Ensure site is user-friendly & understandable
• Contrast options & control; • Avoid overly complex web functions
• Provide long descriptions for complex • Avoid jargon. User basic language.
images
Deafness / Hearing Loss Mobility
• Closed captioning available; • Provide skip-navigation links;
• Transcripts of audio / video available; • All website functions available from keyboard;
• Ensure pages are “error-tolerant.”

10. INTERESTING STAT:
Accessibility when considered in the beginning of a project
adds 10% of time & cost.
After the fact, it’s at least 2x the cost.

11. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: VISION

12. ON THAT NOTE...
When accessibility is addressed in the beginning,
Usability improvements and considerations are
weaved into the process.

13. PLANNING FOR ACCESSIBILITY

14. ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES: ANALYSIS
Backend Frontend
Creating Content Skip to Main Content
Managing the Page Structure Navigation
Configuring User Roles Logging in / Logging Out
Help Text Read More Links

15. ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES: DEVELOPMENT
Backend & Frontend
Context & Relationships
Accessibility “Collaboration” - e.g. <alt> text field + quality <alt> text description
Tab Order & Configuration via Keyboard
No Javascript or CSS
Specific Markup for Screen Readers

16. ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES: IMPLEMENTATION
Backend Frontend
Content Creation & Site Configuration are Screen Readers can intuitively navigate site
accessible, usable, and informative Keyboard-only users easily get around site

17. ACCESSIBILITY: YOUR ROLE IN CONTENT CREATION
WORKFLOW
When you and your organization adds content, it is important to check each
“front-facing” element to ensure that it includes the necessary accessibility
elements which also contribute to overall usability of the site.
IMAGES: Clear, descriptive and succinct <alt> text is available.
CONTEXT: The content is easy to understand, descriptive, and not full of jargon.
PAGE MARKUP: Headings are used properly, as are bullets for lists.
AUDIO / VIDEO: The media on the page are available with a caption file or transcript.

18. PHASE2 QA & TESTING
SECTION 508 & WCAG

19. ACCESSIBILITY QA: HOW TO TEST
TESTING ENVIRONMENTS
• Section 508 • Monitor Off
• WCAG 2.0 Best Practices TOOLS • No Mouse
• JAWS, VoiceOver, & NVDA • JavaScript Off
CONSIDERATIONS •
•
Keyboard-Only
Manual Testing
•
•
CSS Off
Images Off
• Equal Access • Automated Testing • No Audio
• Equivalent Experience • No Color
• Usability
TRACKING
• Accessibility QA

20. ACCESSIBILITY QA: AUTOMATED TESTING TOOLS
Key Notes:
Testing Tools must be able to test the DOM to be effective
Automated Tools cannot evaluate quality of accessibility

21. ACCESSIBILITY QA: MORE TOOLS
COLOR CONTRAST ANALYZER
CAPTIONING VIDEOS

22. ACCESSIBILITY QA: MANUAL TESTING STRATEGIES
Key Notes:
Consider the additional ways for people to understand or interact with the content?
If any aspect of website is the least bit frustrating to you, fix it. It’s going to be a worse experience for others.
• Descriptive context;
• Closed captioning available;
• Transcript available;
• Audio-only version;
• User can enlarge video;
• Easy control of play-back;
• Clear navigation direction

23. ACCESSIBILITY QA: PHASE2’S CHECKLIST

24. RECAP
WHO WE’RE SERVING: Everyone! Usability and Accessibility are interchangeable.
THE BACKEND: Ensure that the CMS supports accessible content creation and navigation.
THE FRONTEND: The Site is intuitive to follow, and the content is readable and accessible.
WORKFLOW: Set organizational responsibilities and expectations for accessible content creation.
TESTING: Conduct automatic testing early, followed by all-important manual testing

25. QUESTIONS?
VISIT WWW.PHASE2TECHNOLOGY.COM/X TO DOWNLOAD TEST TRACKING WORKSHEET & TOOLS HANDOUT
Shawn Mole Catharine McNally
Phase2 Technology Phase2 Technology
Software Analyst Quality and Accessibility Analyst
Twitter: @shawnmole Twitter: @cmcnally
smole@phase2technology.com cmcnally@phase2technology.com